Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

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Latest Episodes:

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 3, 2026 - Hour 1 - The Price of Admission: What Cars Really Cost Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

New cars are expensive—and keeping the one you already own isn’t cheap either. Ron shares real-world stories from the shop that show just how tight dollars are right now, including a Kia minivan nearly hit with a $1,500 repair that turned out to be loose battery terminals and a worn-out battery.

The bigger lesson? You can’t diagnose anything until you fix the basics. Ron also breaks down when it makes sense to repair versus replace, why four- and five-year-old vehicles suddenly get costly, and why the purchase price is only the cost of admission—maintenance is the real bill.

In a time when everyone’s counting nickels, smart diagnostics and honest advice matter more than ever. Good mechanics aren’t expensive… they’re priceless.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Talks EV's & The Ford F150 Lightning, on Mendte In The Morning, WOR 710AM, December 29, 2025 Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

On Mendte in the Morning on WOR Radio 710, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, joins holiday host Ken Rosato to break down one of the biggest automotive stories of the year. Following Ford Motor Company’s decision to halt production of the F-150 Lightning and take a reported $20-billion charge tied to its EV strategy, Ron explains why the move isn’t a failure of the vehicle—but a reality check on profitability, subsidies, infrastructure, and consumer demand. The conversation expands into the future of EVs, the growing shift toward hybrids, the hidden costs of new technology like start-stop systems, and what all of this means for drivers long term.

Catch Ron Ananian every other week on Mendte in the Morning at 9:40 AM on WOR 710 AM.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 27, 2025 - Hour 2 - The Day We Went On A Remote Broadcast; Almost! Dec 27, 2025

Show notes

Ron and crew are on their way back from the North Pole this weekend.

It's a "Best Of" show from September 27, 2025. Instead of being on remote at the Annual PBA 286 Car Show, Ron and crew had to beat feet back to the studio when an equipment glitch at the time, later found out to be a Google Software update problem, caused remote equipment not to work.

Its a great hour of radio in typical Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor style. Enjoy the ride!

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 27, 2025 - Hour 1 - EV's Past and Present Dec 27, 2025

Show notes

While Ron and crew are making the trip back from the North Pole, having helped Santa with another Christmas Eve, here is a "Best Of" show.

Ron sat down with industry icon and physicist Mark Mills to talk about EV's from multiple views a few years ago. Its a great flash from the past and interesting to note as many of the predictions and directions are happening now.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 20, 2025 - Hour 2 - The Night Before Christmas (855)560-9900 Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

It’s the last live show of the year on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor—and Ron explains what’s coming next: a Best-Of show next weekend, then back live New Year’s weekend. Ron also reminds listeners the broadcast becomes a podcast (search Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor on iHeart, Apple, Amazon, Google, and more).

Plus, a caller with a 2023 Ford F-150 faces a persistent check engine light tied to a catalytic converter concern—Ron walks through why this should fall under federal emissions warranty coverage, why the dealer’s diagnostic fee may not ultimately come out of the caller’s pocket, and what to do to get the repair properly documented.

Then the show rolls on with used-car shopping advice, EVAP and purge-valve talk, and a holiday closer you’ve got to hear.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 20, 2025 - Hour 1 - The Stoplight Honda Story (855)560-9900 Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor opens with a Christmas-season story that stops him cold at a red light in Ramsey, NJ—when he realizes a young couple in the car next to him is listening to his show on the podcast. From there, Ron dives into the real-world chaos of modern repairs: a 2012 Mazda 3 owner spends $1,800 at a dealership with no clear diagnostic paperwork… only to be told the next step is an “obsolete” engine computer. Ron explains why probability, parts availability, and honest research matter before taking a customer down an expensive road. Plus, calls on a Chrysler 300C oil pressure sensor code, Honda CVT fluid service intervals (and the confusion around filters and fluid types), and a hard-start condition that may point to fuel delivery or pressure-regulator issues.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Dr Talks Warming Up Your Car & More on Mendte In The Morning, WOR Radio 710, December 15, 2025 Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Do You Really Need to Warm Up Your Car?

On this episode of Mendte in the Morning on WOR Radio 710, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, clears up one of winter’s most debated questions—should you warm up your car before driving?

Ron explains what modern vehicles really need, why safety and visibility matter more than internet myths, and when a short warm-up actually makes sense—especially in cold Northeast mornings. Plus, why using hot water on an icy windshield is a very bad idea, how idling laws factor in, and what older vehicles still demand in freezing temps.

The conversation wraps up with advice on buying a car as a gift—why the big bow looks great in commercials, but real-world car buying should be an experience, not a surprise.

Catch Ron every other week on Mendte in the Morning, WOR, and listen to Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor wherever you get your podcasts on the iHeartRadio app.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 13, 2025 - Hour 2 - Stalling Toyotas, Seat-Track Headaches, and Torque Converter Lockup Blues Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

This hour on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron kicks things off with a holiday giveaway—Car Doctor “hot cocoa” coffee mugs for callers—then dives straight into a stack of real-world problems. Paul in New Hampshire calls about a ’92 Toyota Tercel that occasionally stumbles and stalls after idling; Ron walks through a practical diagnostic path that points toward throttle body/TPS switch strategy and why a lab scope is the fastest way to catch an intermittent glitch. Jim follows with a power seat track alignment issue after a cushion repair—Ron explains why “they built it at the factory, so there’s a way to re-index it,” and asks for the VIN to dig up the procedure. Jeff in Oregon brings a ’95 Dodge Cummins with torque converter lock/unlock hunting; Ron outlines key inputs like brake switch activity and TPS ground noise, and why “more grounds rarely hurts.” Brad in Iowa rounds it out with a scary ABS event that won’t release the pedal on an ’09 Fusion—Ron suggests isolating the system by unplugging the ABS module to prove what’s good and narrow what’s bad. Ron also drops a shop-life reality check on the “snowball repair”—when a simple oil change turns into two days—plus a quick talk about young techs, presentation, and parents getting kids’ cars ready for holiday travel.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 13, 2025 - Hour 1 - Auto Repair Where Everybody Knows Your Name Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

In this segment of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron explains how auto repair has evolved beyond simply fixing cars into a business built on trust, guidance, and long-term relationships. Using a real customer story, he shows how fear of cost or scheduling can lead drivers away from trusted shops, often resulting in repeat visits, unresolved problems, and lingering doubt about whether the repair was done right the first time. That doubt, Ron notes, damages not just one shop’s reputation but the perception of the entire industry.

He ties this experience to a broader trend of dealership service departments losing ground to independent shops as consumers look for more than a low price—they want transparency, familiarity, and the “Cheers factor,” where their name and their car are known. Ron emphasizes that a good repair shop doesn’t just repair vehicles; it helps owners make practical decisions, including when a repair no longer makes sense. Ultimately, the real value in auto repair comes from honesty, experience, and putting the customer’s long-term needs ahead of a quick sale.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 6, 2025 - Hour 2 - (855)560-9900 - Lifetime Transmission Fluids Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

Lifetime Transmission Fluids, Cold Nissans & Beeping Volkswagens

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens with a nod to The Sopranos and that famous Holsten’s ice cream shop before diving into the realities behind “lifetime” fluids and modern transmission service. A caller with a 2017 Ford Fusion asks about trans fluid intervals, and Ron lays out why waiting until 150,000 miles is a bad bet—and how to approach drain-and-fills vs. fluid exchanges without shocking an aging gearbox.

From there it’s a full diagnostic tour: a 2015 Nissan Rogue with no heat (airflow but no temperature), where Ron walks through heater-core flow checks, blend doors, and a cheap thermal gun/borescope game plan; a 2018 VW Tiguan plagued by an endless “keyless entry faulty” chime and a dealer pushing an $800 module, prompting a blunt discussion of broken door-jamb wiring and the “German car experience”; and a 2022 Kia Sportage owner trying to sort out backup lamp failures, recall history, and a key Kia bulletin that should keep the repair under warranty. Ron closes with a heartfelt thank-you to the listeners, a reflection on staying “relevant” after 30+ years on the air, and a quick reminder that the Car Doctor store at CardoctorShow.com is open for last-minute gifts.

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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